Multiple electrode stack and structure for the electrolysis of water

ABSTRACT

A cell assembly and a vertically disposed electrode stack within the cell chamber for the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen upon the application of electric current to the electrodes. The cell assembly is arranged to contain an electrode stack immersed in water, the stack consisting of at least two electrodes in the form of or having the shape of quadric surfaces such as cones or cylinders. The electrodes are mounted in close concentric proximity to one another and are positioned by support posts which may also serve as electrical connections and are mounted at the base of the cell chamber and extend upwardly through the base of each electrode. A lip structure to assist in gas dispersement disposed about the upper edge of the upper electrode is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/126,501Filed May 6, 2008 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention resides in the field of the electrolysis of water and moreparticularly relates to the configuration of electrodes used for thatpurpose.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are a substantial number of prior art devices adapted for theprocess of the electrolysis of water. Most are directed to electrodeconfiguration, control of the volume of gas generation, and control ofthe use of the gases, hydrogen and oxygen, so produced. The presentinvention is concerned with electrode configuration and particularlywith the rapid generation of gas in a limited space.

While the great majority of systems employ electrodes in the shape ofplates, some employ quadric surfaces or shapes, particularly cylindersor cones. Several of these show a plurality of concentrically disposedelectrodes. For example, a plurality of concentric cylinders isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,822, Cunningham, and U.S. Pat. No.5,799,624, Heish. Also concentric cones or conical sections areillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,601, Spirig, and U.S. Pat. No.6,156,168, Verrierr.

In contrast to the prior art, the invention described herein provides avertical stack of suitable generally cup shaped electrodes where onefits within and in close proximity to another and which are arranged inan ascending vertical relationship. A multiplicity of electrodes with acorresponding increase in electrode surface area for waterdisassociation or breakdown into gas is thereby made available in a morecompact space than that found in prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be summarized as apparatus for the electrolysis ofwater resulting in the disassociation of liquid water into hydrogen andoxygen gas. The invention consists of a chamber for containing waterwhich is intended to be mounted such that it's longitudinal axis issubstantially vertical and having mounted therein in close concentricrelationship at least two electrodes of the same quadric form and shape.The preferable shapes of the electrodes are cylinders or cones. They arepositioned in close proximity to one another, the bottom circumferentialedge of the upper electrode residing below the top edge of the lowerelectrode to create, upon the application of electric current across theelectrodes, an upward vortex flow of the resulting gases to be collectedat the top of the chamber.

The gas produced at the lower electrode will function as it rises tosweep the gas produced at the upper electrode away from that electrodeto allow fresh gas to be generated at an expedited rate as compared toprior art configurations employing, for example, horizontally disposedside-by-side plates.

The invention also provides two additional structural features whichenhance the production and flow of gas. The first is a lip surroundingthe upper circumferential edge of the upper electrode to createturbulence and churning of water within the cell as gas is producedresulting in a more rapid replenishment of water at the electrodesurface.

The second is the employment of upwardly extending electrode supportposts mounted at the base of the chamber. These alternately attach to abottom surface which may form a part of each electrode. To achieve this,each electrode bottom has a pair of spaced apart ports of the same sizeor, optionally, one larger than the posts, the other about the size of apost. When employing ports of the same size, they must be larger thanthe diameter of the post.

When employing ports of a different size, contact is made with one postat the smaller of the ports to secure the electrode in position whilethe other larger port provides a passageway for the opposite post to thenext electrode. The position of the ports then alternates from oneelectrode to another, larger above smaller, smaller above larger. Theadvantage of making one port about the size of one of the posts is easeof assembly and alignment to create the finished stack.

This arrangement also provides a means for electrically connecting theelectrodes to voltages of opposite polarity by using the support postsas the electrical connectors for each electrode. The posts may alsoserve in this arrangement as additional electrode surfaces forgenerating the desired product gases.

These and other features and advantages, as well as the detailedstructure of the invention will become more evident from the descriptionof the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the drawings,which follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 a is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of a component of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view of an additional component of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 a; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention is shown in which electrode stack 10 consisting of aplurality of electrodes 12, one above the other in a substantiallyvertical array, is disposed within chamber 16. The chamber is sealedexcept for designated inputs and outputs and is arranged to containwater and electrolyte for disassociation into hydrogen and oxygen gas.

The electrodes have the shape and form of a quadric surface, a conicalsection as shown, and each may have a lip 18 disposed about it's upperedge to agitate, disrupt, or chum the upward flow of the gassesgenerated at the electrode below by the electrolytic process. Theelectrodes are of alternating polarity, connected in a manner, as willbe described below, to a source of DC electrical current 20 throughterminals 22 and 24.

The upper portion 26 of chamber 14 is arranged to collect the productgasses of the process to be used in a selected manner. For example, inthe assembly shown, a water/electrolyte expansion tank 28 and pressuregage 30, flash arrestor 32, and gas flow meter 34 are additionallyprovided to facilitate the gas generator and associated apparatus tosupply hydrogen as a fuel in whole or in part to a motor vehicle ortorch assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away perspective view of chamber 15 furtherincluding cooling fins 17 supplied to dissipate the heat generated bythe electrolytic process in an enclosed space such as the motorcompartment of a motor vehicle. Electrodes 12 are positioned one abovethe other in a concentric, stacked, nested configuration where thebottom surface 36 b of one electrode is positioned a selected distanceslightly above the bottom surface 36 a of the one below it. This closeproximity results in the efficient generation of a substantial amount ofgas in a limited amount of space. Further, the electrodes are mounted ina unique way by the use of posts comprising threaded rods 38 secured tochamber base 40 which rods serve not only as support structures forelectrodes 12 but electrical connections and additional electrodesurfaces as well.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c, perspective views of thecomponents of the electrode stack of the invention are shown. Electrodes12 are cupped shaped in the form of a conical section as illustrated inFIG. 3 c and have bottom members 42 with unequally sized ports 44 a and44 b, 44 a being the larger of the pair. Port 44 a will allow rod 38 topass upwardly through bottom 42 without making contact with thecircumferential edges of the port. Port 44 b is closely equivalent insize to rod 38 so that the rod may contact the bottom to form anelectrical connection in whole or in part. The electrodes may then bethen be assembled and aligned without causing an inadvertent shorting ofthe electrical circuit through a bottom member when electrical currentis applied to the rods. Ports 46 are also provided in bottom members 42to facilitate the flow of water through the stack.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3 b, the alignment position of the portpairs 44 a and 44 b alternate as electrodes are added to the stackproviding not only a structural support mechanism for the electrodes,but also the means by which the polarity alternates from one electrodeto another up and down the stack. The dual function of the rods,mechanical support and electrical connection terminals, eliminates theneed for separate devices to fulfill these requirements, an economy notheretofore shown in any of the prior art disclosures known to applicant.

FIG. 3 a illustrates the assembly of stack 10 incorporating thecomponents described above. As shown, electrodes 12 alternating as toport orientation as shown in FIG. 3 b are arranged one above the otherand held in proximate fixed position by nuts 48 coupled with metal rods38, in combination with metal washers 50 and electrically non-conductingwashers 52 composed of, for example, plastic. Nuts 48 are shown spacedaway from electrode bottoms 42 but, in final assembly, tightly clampbottom 42 and washers 50 and 52 to hold each electrode firmly in place.

Metal washers 50 are used to complete the electrical contact betweenelectrode bottoms 42 and rods 38 for those rods passing through ports 44b and non-conducting washers 52 are used to insulate electrode bottoms42 from rods 38 for those rods passing through the larger ports 44 awhere electrical contact is prohibited.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-away view of the above describedconfiguration showing the final assembly with washers 50 and 52 in placeand nuts 48 tightened to hold electrodes 12 securely in a selectedspaced apart relationship. The distance of separation of the electrodesmay be controlled by the thickness of nuts 48 or additional intermediatespacers, not shown, or both. In this illustration, all of the ports 44are of the same size and are larger than rods 38 so that no electricalcontact will be made directly with electrode bottoms 42 but only throughmetal washers 50.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the inventionshowing an electrode stack configuration similar to that previouslydescribed using cylindrically shaped electrodes 54 a-54 e rather thancone shaped electrodes. Lips 55 are provided to assist in agitating theupward flow of the bubbling gases. They are, of necessity, ofdiminishing diameter in order to provide the nesting arrangement of theinvention. Washers 56 and 58 provide electrical contact or insulationfrom threaded rods 60 in combination with nuts 62 which hold each ofelectrodes 54 a-54 e securely in a selected spaced apart stackedrelationship with one another. As before, the distance of separation ofthe electrodes may be controlled by the thickness of nuts 62 oradditional intermediate spacers, not shown, or both. In thisillustration, the electrode ports 64 and 66 are of different sizes, 64larger than rods 60 and the other 66 about the same size.

As variations in the above-described embodiments will now be obvious tothose skilled in the art, the invention is accordingly defined by thefollowing claims.

1. An electrode stack for the electrolysis of water arranged to bevertically disposed within a chamber for containing said water andcollecting the gaseous products of said electrolysis, said stackcomprising in combination: A. a first electrode having a form and shapecomprising in substantial part a first selected quadric surface; B. asecond electrode comprising in substantial part a second selectedquadric surface of the same form and shape as said first quadricsurface, each of said electrodes having an upper and a lower edge; C.electrical connecting means arranged to connect each of said electrodesto a source of direct electrical current, each of said electrodesconnected to an opposite electrical polarity of said current of theother; and D. electrode mounting means concentrically mounting saidsecond electrode above said first electrode and in such proximity tosaid first electrode that the bottom edge of said second electrode ispositioned below the upper edge of said first electrode, and the upperedge of said second electrode is positioned above the upper edge of saidfirst electrode.
 2. The stack of claim 1 wherein each of said surfacesis a conical section.
 3. The stack of claim 1 wherein each of saidsurfaces is a cylindrical section.
 4. The stack of claim 2 wherein saidsecond electrode has a lip surrounding and extending outwardly from saidupper edge.
 5. The stack of claim 3 wherein said second electrode has alip surrounding and extending outwardly from said upper edge.
 6. Thestack of claim 1 further including a base and wherein: each of saidelectrodes has a bottom surface member, each having a pair of spacedapart ports; said electrode mounting means comprises a pair of postsmounted in spaced apart relationship at said base arranged to passthrough said ports; and said ports are alternately connected to one ofsaid electrode bottom surface members.
 7. The stack of claim 6 whereinsaid posts further comprise said electrical connecting means.
 8. Thestack of claim 6 wherein said posts are equal in diameter and one ofsaid ports is approximately equal to the diameter of said posts and theother of said ports is larger than the diameter of said posts.
 9. A cellassembly for the electrolysis of water to be positioned vertically whenin use, said assembly comprising in combination: A. a chamber forcontaining said water; B. means for collecting the gaseous products ofsaid electrolysis from the upper portion of said chamber; C. Anelectrode stack disposed within said chamber, said stack consisting of:i. a first electrode having a form and shape comprising in substantialpart a first selected quadric surface; and ii. a second electrodecomprising in substantial part a second selected quadric surface of thesame form and shape as said first quadric surface, each of saidelectrodes having an upper and a lower edge; D. electrical connectingmeans arranged to connect each of said electrodes to a source of directelectrical current, each of said electrodes connected to an oppositeelectrical polarity of said current of the other; and E. electrodemounting means concentrically mounting said second electrode above saidfirst electrode within the lower portion of said chamber and in suchproximity to said first electrode that the bottom edge of said secondelectrode is positioned below the upper edge of said first electrode,and the upper edge of said second electrode is positioned above theupper edge of said first electrode.
 10. The assembly of claim 9 whereineach of said surfaces is a conical section.
 11. The assembly of claim 9wherein each of said surfaces is a cylindrical section.
 12. The assemblyof claim 9 wherein said second electrode has a lip surrounding andextending outwardly from said upper edge.
 13. The stack of claim 11wherein said second electrode has a lip surrounding and extendingoutwardly from said upper edge.
 14. The stack of claim 9 furtherincluding a base and wherein: each of said electrodes has a bottomsurface member, each having a pair of spaced apart ports; said electrodemounting means comprises a pair of posts mounted in spaced apartrelationship at said base arranged to pass through said ports; and saidports are alternately connected to one of said electrode bottom surfacemembers.
 15. The stack of claim 14 wherein said posts further comprisesaid electrical connecting means.
 16. The stack of claim 15 wherein saidposts are equal in diameter and one of said ports is approximately equalto the diameter of said posts and the other of said ports is larger thanthe diameter of said posts.